Trib HSSN softball player of the week for May 18, 2025

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, May 18, 2025 | 9:13 PM

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Trib HSSN softball player of the week: Bria Bosiljevac

School: Shaler

Class: Junior

Position: Pitcher

#Earned: Wet weather affected plenty of WPIAL baseball and softball postseason play last week. Bosiljevac rained on the playoff parade of Class 5A foes to lead No. 2-seed Shaler into the district semifinals. In a 5A opening-round game against No. 15 Connellsville, Bosiljevac threw a seven inning no-hitter, walking none and striking out 16 with the only baserunners reaching on an error in a dominant performance that helped the Titans blank the Falcons, 8-0. Two days later in a WPIAL quarterfinals contest against No. 10 Trinity, Bosiljevac against held opposing batters hitless with no walks, this time striking out 12 as the Titans moved on to the final four by eliminating the Hillers, 9-0. In two district playoff games last week, Bosiljevac allowed no runs, no hits, no walks and registered 28 K’s in 14 innings. There were two base runners who both reached on a hit by pitch. Now she prepares for the WPIAL semifinals on Tuesday at Montour at 3 p.m. when Shaler battles No. 3-seed West Allegheny.

Background: Even though she is just wrapping up her junior season at Shaler, Bosiljevac will continue her academic and softball career at Indiana playing for the Hoosiers. The two no-hitters thrown this past week give her three no-hitters for the season. Bosiljevac has battled injuries throughout her three years of high school softball. She ruptured her knee while stretching for a throw at first base in her freshman season. Before the postseason a year ago, she suffered a hand injury that ended her sophomore campaign, and she has missed a big chunk of the regular season this spring with back issues. She started playing softball when she was 6 years old. Bosiljevac tried her hand at swimming for a few years when she was younger but lost interest and gave it up to give her full attention athletically to softball. In the 2023 season, Shaler was knocked off by Trinity in the WPIAL semifinals but regrouped and won three PIAA playoff games to reach the state final. Then a freshman pitcher, Bosiljevac was outstanding in the title game, allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and 12 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings, but the Titans fell to Northern York, 3-2. Bosiljevac is an only child who considers herself blessed, not spoiled. She enjoys spending time with her parents and her friends and enjoys making things with wood. She has made cabinets, a desk, a rocker and other things in the Bosiljevac household.

What coach says: “The key to the wins over Connellsville and Trinity was her ability to hit her spots consistently,” Shaler coach Tom Source said. “Her control is her strongest asset. She didn’t walk a batter in either game. In addition, our pitching coach Tim Wittig, has a great relationship with Bria and all of our pitchers, and he scripts out a game plan for each game that plays to her strengths.

“She’s had some injuries over the last two seasons that she has had to deal with. Because of her competitive nature and being a teenager, I’m sure this was hard for her. We limited innings and used a pitch count early in the season to help keep her as healthy as possible. Bria is a gamer who wants to be out on that field for teammates. She is as tough of a player, as I’ve ever had here.

“What makes her so tough in the circle is that she first wants to help her team win. She has had many accolades on her accomplishments at the high school level and travel ball level and could just live off those accolades. Not this young lady. Her desire to be better is off the charts. Her work ethic, her preparation, her desire to win can’t be measured. One other asset that I think gets overlooked is her relationship with our catcher Alyssa Schaffold. They have a great friendship and a field presence and language all their own.

“When Bria is on the mound, that’s her domain. That’s where she leads her team. She can be animated or excited after a big pitch or out. She truly is not a big rah-rah type in the dugout, but she’s always very supportive of her teammates. Bria’s leadership is shown by her desire to win, to be the best that she can be and to take the ball and get out in the circle even when she’s not 100%.

“Just my thoughts on having this opportunity to coach this young lady: Every coach will tell you about players that they’ve had who have had an impact on their program. This young lady is not just a good teammate or a great player. She is a dynamic person. She has great belief in her faith, she is respectful to everyone and has a caring heart. Her parents have done a wonderful job supporting her and guiding her to this result. So much emphasis is put on the results of games or stats that we miss the kind of person these players are. I’m blessed as a coach to have this opportunity to not only watch a great player perform, but more importantly see a young lady develop into a good person.”

2025 Trib HSSN Softball Players of the Week

Week 6: Gianna Ferrieri, Seton LaSalle

Week 5: Emersyn Jones, Knoch

Week 4: Sydney Sekely, South Park

Week 3: Danica Trainer, Mt. Pleasant

Week 2: Bailey Barnyak, Carmichaels

Week 1: Toryn Fulton, Franklin Regional

Tags: Shaler